Atlético Madrid began their La Liga campaign with a 2–0 victory over Málaga at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday evening.
South Korean midfielder Kang In Lee broke the deadlock in the 70th minute, cutting in from the right flank before driving a powerful shot into the bottom-right corner of the Málaga goalkeeper’s net. Alejandro Baina doubled the lead in the 85th minute with a well-executed free kick that the visiting goalkeeper could not keep out.
Argentine striker Julián Álvarez was absent from Atlético’s squad due to a lack of physical fitness, though his omission came against a backdrop of speculation over his future. The club has insisted he will remain, despite reported interest from Álvarez himself in a move to Barcelona.
